October 2024 Central Connection
October 2, 2024
Some of the 123 welding technology students at Central Community College-Grand Island take their turn at breaking ground for a new welding technology building. |
Campus holds groundbreaking ceremony
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Sept. 6 for a new welding technology building at Central Community College-Grand Island.
CCC administrators said that once completed, the 12,500-square-foot facility will house 48 multi-process booths, 16 oxy-acetylene welding stations, two classrooms and a dedicated grinding room. The cost is $5.75 million for the project, which is expected to be completed in early 2026.
“It will have a more efficient layout to safely maximize the number of students as well as provide ventilation and equipment that are better suited for a modern welding facility,” said CCC-Grand Island President Dr. Marcie Kemnitz.
She said the new welding technology building will benefit more than just CCC students.
“One aspect that sets our welding building apart is that along with our college-age students, we serve about 60 dual credit high school students from area schools, including Grand Island Senior High and Grand Island-Northwest, who come to our campus for their welding experience,” Kemnitz said.
K.C. Belitz, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, praised CCC for its focus on the community, which has resulted in more than 90 percent of graduates staying in its service area after graduation.
“Economic development today is all about workforce development and community development and giving our students, our kids, the opportunities to stay here and build a life and raise a family,” he said.
CCC President Dr. Matt Gotschall thanked the taxpayers in the college’s service area for providing a portion of the funding. The state of Nebraska has also allocated funds from the American Rescue Plan.
“We appreciate being able to show physically how that is invested back into community to help grow the workforce and to have some more people that will be living and working and providing valuable benefits and opportunities here,” he said.
Index places college at top
Central Community College has been recognized as a top performer in the 2024 Sustainable Campus Index, securing the top spot in energy and fifth place overall internationally among associate institutions.
A publication from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing sustainable colleges and universities overall and in 17 impact areas as measured through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).
Ben Newton, sustainability director, said CCC earned its top performer status by having committed staff and student leaders all contributing daily, small efforts to make large overall impacts in reducing energy, waste and water. The dedicated team continually shares efforts such as picking up food waste for composting, managing native pollinator gardens, reducing paper usage and promoting efficient and renewable energy usage.
“CCC has continued to be a sustainability leader since 2016, not only in the Midwest but internationally,” he said. “The reduction and tracking of our efficient use of natural resources helps the next generation of CCC students have access to fiscal and innovative academic resources for evolving jobs of the future, such as renewable energy and sustainability courses. I continue to be inspired by our new students every year for new sustainability projects.”
“By fostering sustainable practices and initiatives, you set an inspiring example for your peers and future generations,” Meghan Fry, AASHE executive director, said. “Your efforts are a testament to the positive impact that institutions can make when they prioritize sustainability and take meaningful action.”
Fall enrollment shows increases
Central Community College has announced that its total college-wide enrollment for the 2024 fall semester is 6,553, comprised of 1,820 full-time and 4,733 part time students.
Full-time equivalent student numbers are up over 3 percent. Enrollment, especially for part-time students, is expected to grow throughout the fall semester because of short-term training and another round of eight-week classes.
Total college-wide enrollment is comprised of 2,283 on-campus students and 4,270 distance learning students.
“It is encouraging to see our overall full-time student enrollment numbers increasing,” CCC President Dr. Matt Gotschall said.
He added that the college continues “to see extremely strong job placement of graduates with the technical, business and health degrees, diplomas and certificates our students are seeking in addition to our reasonably-priced transfer courses for advanced degrees.”
CCC honored for prevention efforts
Central Community College has been recognized as a Platinum Level Exemplary Member by the Nebraska Collegiate Prevention Alliance (NECPA), according to Dr. Beth Klitz, vice president of student success and enrollment management.
The designation is awarded to institutions that participate in at least two NECPA-sponsored activities and in all three NECPA programs. CCC participates in the NECPA Annual Statewide Convening, serves on the NECPA board of directors and offers NECPA-sponsored training in brief motivational interviewing to CARE team members and student services staff.
Using mini-grant funding, the college also has incorporated the following prevention programs: Year One College Behavior Profile, College Behavior Profile and Nebraska Assessment of College Health Behaviors (Biennial Survey).
NECPA works to encourage schools to engage in ongoing learning, stay up to date on the issues facing students and continually improve their prevention programming. It recognizes schools that develop programming that can be replicated by other institutions as well as those that excel in implementing evidence-based prevention strategies and successfully creating an outstanding campus environment for students and the surrounding community.
Fine arts season to soon get underway
The Central Community College fine arts department has announced its 2024-25 schedule.
“This year promises to be an extraordinary journey through the world of creativity and performance,” fine arts coordinator Whitney Hank said.
The season gets underway with a Tapestry of Tango, a faculty recital featuring the program’s new Steinway piano. The show will be held at 3 p.m. on Sept. 29 in the Fine Arts Theatre.
The season opener featuring students will be an outdoor performance of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Frankfort Square in downtown Columbus. Performances will be at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 24-26 and at 2 p.m. on Oct. 27.
Hank said people can now follow the CCC fine arts department on social media for behind-the-scenes photos and videos. Here’s where to find them:
- Facebook: Central Community College Fine Arts Department
- Instagram: @CCC_FineArts
“From captivating theater and music performances to mesmerizing art exhibitions, there’s something for everyone,” Hank said. “We can’t wait to see you at our events this season.”
Employee news
Administrative Office
Samreen Ahmed has joined the staff as an institutional research coordinator.
Columbus Campus
New employees include Maggie Brooks, health programming director; Jacob Novicki, residence life coordinator; and Kathryn Strecker, math readiness project coordinator.
Carley Foltz is shifting positions from community and workforce education administrative assistant at the Columbus Campus to Albion community education coordinator and administrative assistant.
Grand Island Campus
Andrea Sanchez has resigned as service center supervisor.
Faene Ann Evans, 85, died June 27 at Arbor Care Center in O’Neill. Services were held Sept. 3 at Ashburn Funeral Home with inurnment at Pleasant View Cemetery in Plainview.
She was born on Dec. 14, 1938, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Fae and Dorothee (Holder) Evans. She grew up in Plainview and Bloomfield and attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion and the Grace Downs Air Career School in New York. She earned a diploma in office technology from CCC in 2000. She married Merlyn McQuistan on June 6, 1959, in Plainview. They divorced in 1981.
She was a homemaker before going to work in 1973 for various employers in Bloomfield, Plainview and Grand Island. She had been a bookkeeper, secretary, ceramics instructor, accountant and custodian before becoming an administrative assistant and receptionist at CCC-Grand Island from 2000 until her retirement in 2005.
Survivors include her two children, brother, granddaughters and great-grandchildren.
Robert “Bob” J. Niemann, 76, of Grand Island died Sept. 2 at the Central Nebraska Veterans’ Home in Kearney.
Services were held Sept. 9 at All Faiths Funeral Home with military honors by the U.S. Marines and United Veteran’s Honor Guard. Burial of his ashes will be at a later date in the Grand Island Veteran’s Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Voice for Companion Animals, Alzheimer’s Association or the Wounded Warrior Project.
He was born on July 28, 1948, in Grand Island to Joe and Emily (Anderson) Niemann.
Following his graduation from Grand Island Senior High School in 1967, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. He served two combat tours in Vietnam where he received a Purple Heart. After his honorable discharge, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and spent time at Camp Pendleton in California in the Military Police division.
On July 7, 1972, he married Judy Gallagher in Grand Island.
He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business and technical fabrication. He worked at New Holland, Overhead Door, Chief Automotive and Chief Industries before joining the CCC staff. He retired as associate dean of trades and industry in 2013.
He was a member of the VFW, Saddle Club and Isaak Walton.
He is survived by his wife, Judy of Grand Island; his three sons, seven grandchildren and two sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Online condolences may be left at www.giallfaiths.com.
Hastings Campus
Gabrielle “Ezra” Easter has resigned as a custodian.
Josh Matthiessen is shifting locations as a custodian from the Hastings Campus to the Grand Island Campus.
Kearney Center
Shari Stickels has resigned as a nursing instructor.